Cannot Re-install previously working M401

[HarryStottle]

Having serious problems getting my main desktop to re-install the M401 printer its been using for the past 3 years.

There is nothing wrong with the printer, or the usb cable. I know this because I can install the printer onto two laptops using the same cable with no trouble. So I know its a problem with my desktop rather than HP hardware but given what I've already tried, I'm running out of possible options.

So far I've tried three different software installation options in a variety of different scenarios

1 The embedded software with the printer,
2 the "Full Solution" package from HP's website (as of about a week ago) and
3 the current 64bit HP Universal printer.

I have tried multiple times in normal mode and in safe mode.

I have used the "Scrubber" between each failed attempt, to ensure no traces of failed attempts are able to interfere with the next attempt.

I have run all 3 versions both normally and as administrator in both normal and safe mode - with all non microsoft services disabled

The printer has been working beautifully on this workstation for the past 3 years and started giving me problems about 3 weeks ago. At first, simply uninstalling and reinstalling seemed to fix it. Now, as described above, I can't even install it.

Thinking that it must have been something I installed recently, or a windows update, I rolled back my system to its most recent installation snapshot (I use Horizon Rollback) which was a minimal installation in June, and again, disabled on non microsoft services. Last time it was in that state, I had no problem installing the printer. This time, I got the same behaviour as described above.

The error message is consistent. The two lines from the install log are always the same:
[2016-12-03 14:39:01.0794] - Error - MSI error: 1601
[2016-12-03 14:39:01.0794] - Error - PrepareToInstallRebootNeededError : SWInstallPDUEngine.PrepareToInstall()

I have looked up that error code on the HP website and it talks of failed installations into Windows XP. That is clearly a diagnostic error as I'm running Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build version 1511.

There are no other signs of faults on my own hardware. All other software, hardware and diagnostics suggest a normally functioning machine.

HP's own diagnostic tool does not even recognise the printer's presence (even when the embedded drive is recognised)

So
1) is anyone aware of any more intelligent diagnostic tools?
2) I'm open to any other ideas?

[HarryStottle · Accepted solution]

on checking for replies and seeing none, I went looking in other recent threads and found one for one of the deskjets, with several dozen hapless victims describing the borking of their systems - in exactly the same terms as I've described - resulting from a recent windoze update.

So, acting on the hunch, I reviewed my recent update history and found that I'd had 4 updates on 13 Nov. which is about the time I realised I was having problems. I uninstalled them all and started re-trying all the stuff I've already mentioned. Looked very encouraging when I tried the "Full Solution". Almost completed but fell over at the 99% mark and bombed out with a fatal error message that the final part of the installation was taking too long. Disappointing but clearly a major step forward.

Scrubbed that attempt and then went straight for the embedded installer (in the printer). And that, I'm delighted and relieved to report, has gone in without a hitch. I've got a working printer again.

So, to anyone else hitting the same problem, take a good look at your recent windoze updates and there's a good chance it'[s one of those.

I don't yet know which one to point the finger at and I'm reluctant to reinstall them to find out. If and when I narrow it down to a specific update, I'll update this post.

[rmschvey]

I'm having the same problem after a power outage.  Tried reinstalling Driver, turning everything on and off, restarted PC. 

Effectively, the PC can no longer find the printer.  Running WIndows 10